Endowed Scholarships

The Urbana University Foundation offers endowed scholarships – funded by major gifts to the University which are awarded annually to students based on need, academic performance, leadership, and community service, or other criteria designated by the donor.

Endowed scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. The application deadline for the fall semester each year is April 1. The application will be available in March.

To apply for one of the scholarships listed below, please contact Urbana University’s Financial Aid Office at (937) 484-1355 or email erobison@urbana.edu.

Carolyn Allison Blackmer Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1972 by friends of Carolyn Allison Blackmer as a memorial to her lifelong association with Urbana University. During her lifetime, Mrs. Blackmer was a student at Urbana, a teacher, and a member of the Board of Trustees. She was also the wife of Franklin Blackmer, a past president of the University. The Blackmer Scholarship is available to one or more upper class students preparing for a career in secondary education.

Margaret and Max Brandeberry Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1999 with gifts from Mr. Max Brandeberry in honor and memory of his wife Margaret and their many years of marriage. The scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need, scholastic ability, academic potential, or outstanding leadership and volunteer service.

Robert V. Corning Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1997 with gifts from Mr. Robert V. Corning. The scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need, a high degree of academic potential, or outstanding leadership and volunteer service.

The Reverend Amy Fauquet Scholarship

The Urbana University Foundation, members of the faculty and staff, and friends established this scholarship in 2007 to commemorate the life of the Reverend Fauquet. Amy, the wife of UU’s former vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Thomas Fauquet, was an ordained Lutheran minister and a former part-time faculty member at Urbana University teaching English and speech. The scholarship is awarded to a student(s) majoring in English or communications and demonstrating scholastic ability, financial need, and/or volunteer service to their community.

Harriet Eaton Feick Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2002 with gifts from the Thomas Feick and Robert McConnell families. Harriet Feick was of the Swedenborgian faith and served on the Board of Trustees of Urbana University. The scholarship is awarded to a student who has a demonstrated learning disability, or is a student enrolled in the study of learning disabilities.

Freshwater Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1999 through a bequest from the Kathleen Kitchen Trust. Having recognized in her own life how difficult it can be for young people to access higher education, she decided to help others in funding their educational pursuits. To be eligible for this award, students should be residents of Champaign County. The scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need, scholastic ability, and academic potential.

Jeannette F. Freye Scholarship

This scholarship was established at Urbana University in February 2003 with a gift from the estate of Mrs. Jeannette F. Freye, a 1923 graduate of Urbana University’s Academic Department that offered high school coursework for students. Mrs. Freye took further coursework at Moore Business College in Urbana, Ohio, graduating in 1924. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need, a high degree of academic potential, and outstanding leadership or volunteer service.

Deborah Hill Grimes Scholarship

This scholarship was established at Urbana University in February 2003 in honor of Deborah Hill Grimes, a member of the Urbana University Board of Trustees and the Urbana University Foundation Board of Directors. Ms. Grimes is the president of Bryce Hill, Inc., in Springfield, Ohio. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of scholastic ability, outstanding leadership skills, and/or evidence of volunteer service to the community.

Stephen D. Harris Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established at Urbana University in 2011 with funds from the estate of Stephen D. Harris ’75. The recipient(s) of this scholarship must be eligible for regular admission to Urbana University, be of African-American dissent, pursue a degree in the College of Education and Sports Studies, and qualify for the William G. Edwards Honors Program or evidence of high scholastic ability.

Dixie Brand Hatch Scholarship

This scholarship was established at Urbana University in 1975. This scholarship represents the desire of the family and friends of Dixie Brand Hatch to personalize her spirit and devotion to teaching children within the church and school. The guidelines for award of this scholarship include the following criteria: the scholarship will be awarded on the basis of need and merit; scholarship recipients must demonstrate experience in religious, civic, and early teaching activities in their home communities. Preference will be given to elementary education majors.

Robert and Sheryl Head Scholarship

This scholarship was established in the fall of 2001 with gifts contributed in honor of Dr. Robert L. Head’s inauguration as president of Urbana University. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of scholastic ability, outstanding leadership skills, and volunteer service to the community.

Donald M. Hiliker Scholarship

Donald M. Hiliker was a successful commercial developer, served on the Urbana University Board of Trustees from 1964-1972 and held a deep interest in seeing the University advance. His son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Linda Hilliker, established the scholarship in 2002 as a lasting memorial to his affection for the University and its students. The scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior business major committed to academic achievement and volunteerism and/or demonstrating financial need.

Jared Howell Scholarship

This scholarship was established at Urbana University in November 2007 in memory of Jared Howell, son of Terry and Jacque Howell. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of scholastic ability, leadership skills, and volunteer service to the community.

Marvin and Gwendolyn Humphrey Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1998 with gifts from Mrs. Gwendolyn Humphrey in memory of her husband, Marvin. Recipients of this scholarship must be traditional students accepted into the College of Business Administration at Urbana University and a resident of Champaign County. The scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need, scholarship ability, a high degree of academic potential in the field of business, and outstanding leadership and service.

Helen Keller Scholarship

This scholarship was established to honor Helen Keller, the Swedenborgian educator and humanitarian. This scholarship was endowed by the Ohio Association of Swedenborgian Churches in 2002. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of need and merit. Scholarship recipients must demonstrate experience in religious, civic and early teaching activities in their home communities. Preference will be given to education majors.

Austin E. Knowlton Scholarship

A successful businessman, community leader, and philanthropist, Mr. Knowlton recognized the importance of education for building a successful life. The scholarship, established in 2006 through a gift from the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation, memorializes his life, legacy of philanthropy, and belief in the power of education. The scholarship is awarded to students from Logan County, Ohio who demonstrate scholastic ability, leadership, and/or volunteer service to their community.

Legge Recognition Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1979 as a memorial to Mary Elizabeth Legge and Harry A. Legge through a substantial bequest from the Legge estate. Mr. and Mrs. Legge were both active supporters of Urbana University during their lifetimes. The purpose of the Legge Scholarship is to attract academically talented students to Urbana University who have shown strong leadership ability during their high school years.

Bob and Diane McConnell Scholarship

In 2005, the Urbana University Foundation established this scholarship in recognition and gratitude to Bob and Diane McConnell of Urbana, OH, for their dedication to and support of Urbana University. Diane McConnell has been a member of the University’s Board of Trustees since 1997. The scholarship is given to assist a non-traditional-age student enrolled at the Urbana University who has financial need.

Alice Vrooman Memmott Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1997 with gifts from Mrs. Alice Vrooman Memmott. Recipients of this scholarship must be active in student government or student activities and be a volunteer coordinator for campus cleanup and renovation efforts at least one time a year. The scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need, a high degree of academic potential, outstanding leadership, and volunteer service.

Lewis and Jean Moore Scholarship

The scholarship was established in 1997 with gifts from Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Moore who were tireless supporters of Urbana University and its students. They were significant contributors and leaders in the campaign to build the Warren G. Grimes Center and the Lewis and Jean Moore Center for Mathematics and Science. Mrs. Moore was a member of the Urbana University Board of Trustees for more than 30 years before her death in 2001. Recipients of this scholarship must be residents of Champaign County. The scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated scholastic ability, financial need, academic potential, leadership, and service.

Marian Mull Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2005 by the Urbana University Foundation as a memorial to Mrs. Marian Mull in recognition of her and her husband’s involvement and support of Urbana University. Mr. Keith Mull, a former member of the University’s Board of Trustees, was named to the Urbana University Business/Professional Hall of Fame in 2005. The scholarship is awarded based on scholastic ability, community service, and leadership skills.

Walter D. Murphy Scholarship

This scholarship was established in the fall of 2000 to honor the life of Walter Murphy. He was the first and only African-American inducted into the American Saddlebred Hall of Fame. The scholarship awards will be made to students of Urbana University who are traditional regularly accepted students with financial need, scholastic ability, academic potential, and a resident of Champaign County.

Christopher Lee Osborne Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2000 with gifts from family and friends in memory of Christopher Lee Osborne. This scholarship represents his family’s firm belief that it is never too late to continue your education. The scholarship will be awarded to a full time non-traditional student who has demonstrated a strong desire to change his/her professional direction.

Lloyd Osborne Jr. Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1997 through a bequest from Mr. Lloyd Osborne, Jr. The scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need, a high degree of academic potential, and outstanding leadership and community service.

John R. Polsley Scholarship

Established in 1997 by family and friends in honor of John R. Polsley, MD. Dr. Polsley’s life was the personification of caring. His interests were extensive. Among them was his strong belief in the value and importance of education as the basis for responsible citizenship and personal fulfillment. Recipients must be eligible for regular admission to Urbana University and a resident of Champaign County. The scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need, scholastic ability, and a high degree of academic potential. Outstanding leadership and service may also be considered.

Security National Bank Scholarship

The Urbana University Foundation Security National Bank Scholarship was established in February 2004. The scholarship is given to students entering the junior year who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and or volunteer service to the community.

M.L. and Sara Smith Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the Urbana University Foundation in 2005 in honor of Mr. M.L. Smith, former vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Services, upon his retirement from Urbana University. The scholarship is awarded to a student majoring in education who demonstrates scholastic ability and/or, leadership skills and/or, volunteer service to his/her community.

Swedenborg Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to students who are members of the Swedenborgian Church. The amount averages $1,000 per year and is based on need. For further information, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Dorothy Tate Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1998, with gifts from Mrs. Dorothy Tate. Criteria for selection of recipients include: traditional students regularly accepted to Urbana University, financial need, a high degree of academic potential, or outstanding leadership and/or volunteer service.

USMC Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established at Urbana University in 2011 in memory of Henry Joy and Steven Miller by Anthony R. Joy and Robin E. Miller. The scholarship is awarded to an Urbana University undergraduate student(s). He/She must be an active duty, retired, reserve member, or honorably discharged veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and shows evidence of high scholastic ability in a chosen field of study.

The Elizabeth C. Woodhouse Scholarship

The Elizabeth C. Woodhouse Scholarship was established by her four children in her memory. The scholarship is given to students interested in pursuing a degree in education and who demonstrate scholastic ability, leadership skills, and volunteer service.

Kenneth Kessler Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2013 through gifts from Eva D. Kessler and Carolyn Kessler Eaton in memory of their father. Recipients of this scholarship must be a member of the Urbana University Blue Knights football team, with preference given to residents of Urbana, Ohio, and must demonstrate scholastic ability and leadership skills.

Donna Kessler Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2013 through gifts from Eva D. Kessler and Carolyn Kessler Eaton in memory of their mother. Recipients of this scholarship must be enrolled in a course of study in the College of Education and Sports Studies with an emphasis on teaching English and demonstrate scholastic ability and leadership skills. Preference will be given to residents of Urbana, Ohio.